Chapter 4, some fragmented pieces

After that, he sat on the carved rosewood rattan chair as if he had lost his three souls and seven spirits, his eyes wide open, staring blankly with no focus, not knowing where his gaze was fixed. At such moments, the eyes of my grandfather from the night he rose from the dead would overlap with those of my fourth uncle, making me momentarily believe that they were one pair of eyes.

I only know that my expression is somewhat stiff, yet I am unaware that my complexion is quite poor. In order to conceal the subtle anxiety within, I forced a smile and said: "It's nothing, everything is just fine. It's just that I can't seem to make sense of those trivial matters, so I came to find you to chat."

He searched for quite a while for it, but it was nowhere to be found, even after turning the entire house upside down.

I was recommended by Fourth Uncle to go to Old Ming's place. I still remember when he told me, "Xiao Yuan, it is truly a waste for someone with your talents to be here with me; Old Ming can allow you to fully realize your potential"

Uncle Si said that he accidentally found a diary in Grandpa's drawer, which seems to have been written by Grandpa in his early years. It contains some accounts about Grandma. In Uncle Si's words, he was unaware of the existence of this mysterious mother, let alone me. Moreover, Grandpa has always kept this matter under wraps; had it not been for Uncle Si's accidental discovery of the diary, he naturally would have remained completely unaware.

I do not understand why Uncle Si is so certain. I glanced at him, recalled the purpose of my visit tonight, and then asked, "Uncle Si, what exactly are you hiding from me?"

Both my fourth uncle and I are intelligent individuals; he would not be unable to guess my purpose for coming here. However, I never doubt the smile on his face, for I know that my fourth uncle genuinely cares for me, even more than my own father does.

I looked at my fourth uncle in surprise and said, "You know Ming Lao's temperament"

However, the smile on Uncle Si's face did not fade. He squinted his eyes and continued to smile as he said, "What brings you here specially? I can see that something is off with your complexion. What happened?"

I finally broke the atmosphere, saying: "Fourth Uncle, I came to ask you something."

I understand

Uncle Si's shop is located on a very remote street in Luoyang, yet despite the street's seclusion, the business is never lacking. The fragrance of wine does not fear deep alleys. The reasons for this are twofold: first, Uncle Si is reliable in his work and trustworthy; second, the goods he supplies are consistent and without issues. As a result, many underground treasures from Luoyang have almost all flowed to him, and after passing through his hands for distribution, combined with his connections in the area, he has become quite a significant player in Luoyang.

I have no memory of my grandmother at all; I didn't even know of her existence. This is because I have never seen any trace of her in my hometown, nor have I ever heard anyone mention her. Therefore, what my fourth uncle is telling me now is the first time I am learning that there was such a person in our family and in the library.

Uncle Si fell silent. I kept observing the changes in his expression. After hearing the folk rhyme given by Ming Lao, his brows furrowed even deeper. Then he said, "Xiao Yuan, I feel that something is not quite right about this matter. You need to think this task over carefully."

Fourth Uncle said he also speculated in this manner, but speculation is ultimately just speculation; no one knows what the truth is.

Later, my fourth uncle spoke to me about some trivial matters, mainly inquiring about my recent situation. However, he did not mention at all the tasks assigned by Old Man Ming. My fourth uncle values principles, and he would not pry into such matters behind the scenes.

I secretly murmured to myself, isn't this precisely the segment about my grandfather digging in the mountains? They unearthed the jade figurine, and then a torrential rain began. Subsequently, my grandfather encountered the strange jade figurine at the campsite, and then he met my grandmother

I shook my head, and from my fourth uncle's expression, I could tell that he seemed to know something about Wei Daliang City. Seeing me shake my head, my fourth uncle said, "How can we go without a map? Ming Lao's tasks always come with a map"

To be honest, my fourth uncle has never been a person who is swayed by money, nor would he ever sell out his friends and family for wealth and glory. I understand him, which is why he recommended me to Old Ming. I have always known there was a reason for it, but my fourth uncle never speaks of it. Whenever I ask, he lets out a long, drawn-out sigh, then sits in the carved rosewood rattan chair, lost in thought for a while, before finally murmuring, "Xiao Yuan, that thing can only be found by you." I have always known there was a reason for it, but my fourth uncle never speaks of it. Whenever I ask, he lets out a long, drawn-out sigh, then sits in the carved rosewood rattan chair, lost in thought for a while, before finally murmuring, "Xiao Yuan, that thing can only be found by you."

When my fourth uncle saw me, he was very happy. At the time of my arrival, he was reviewing the account books in the shop. Upon seeing me, he immediately set aside his work and said with a hearty laugh: "What wind is blowing today that has brought our busy person here?"

Uncle Si frowned slightly but remained silent. I noticed a hint of surprise in his eyes, but more than that was shock. Then I heard him ask, "Did Ming Lao provide a clear map?"

My fourth uncle told me that my grandmother's surname is He. After hearing this, I learned for the first time about the origin of my surname; it turns out that I carry my grandmother's surname.

It was only later that my fourth uncle unexpectedly spoke to me about my grandfather. In my memory, he had never mentioned my grandfather before; it seemed that everything related to him was a taboo, something that could not be spoken of. Yet now he was speaking, and he even told me something I had never known, which was about my grandmother.

Uncle Si said that at this point, if I were to press further, it would turn into a very unpleasant conversation. Deep down, I do not wish to have a falling out with Uncle Si, as he is my only relative in Luoyang and also the person I respect the most

However, Uncle Si only glanced at a small portion and thus learned the name of Grandma from www.hetushu.com. At that time, Uncle Si was also in a hurry and only saw a few lines. When he later returned to look for this diary, it had already disappeared

However, I still want to seek him out to ask these questions, even though I have already guessed that it would be in vain while I am still on the way.

If Uncle Si were to speak candidly, he could be considered as working under Ming Lao, which means he understands Ming Lao better than I do. The tasks assigned by Ming Lao, even if they lead to total failure, will not be retracted. Therefore, Uncle Si's statement now has already transgressed Ming Lao's taboo

I asked my fourth uncle when this happened, and he said it was on the very night of grandfather's passing. He went into grandfather's room to tidy up and found a diary in the drawer. However, after reading just a few lines, he heard a strange noise outside the room, a sound akin to someone walking on tiptoe, a rustling sound. Fourth uncle put down the diary and went out to check, but there was nothing outside. It was at that moment that the diary disappeared.

Regarding the task assigned by Old Master Ming, I have never concealed anything from Uncle Si. In fact, even if I were to be open, Uncle Si would not hear much from me, as I rarely come to Uncle Si's place, essentially not at all.

I remained silent, merely gazing at him, and then Uncle Si shook his head and said, "What task has Ming Lao assigned you this time, that you suddenly recall those old matters?"

I know that this is my fourth uncle joking with me, and I do not respond, merely smiling at him. My fourth uncle has already pulled me down to sit, appearing particularly enthusiastic, yet the sharpness in his and the librarian's eyes does not escape my notice

Later, I followed Old Ming and never mentioned this matter again. Firstly, I knew that Fourth Uncle would not speak of it, and secondly, I understood something: if a person harbors a secret, they will become incredibly determined to keep it. Unless absolutely necessary, that secret will never escape their lips. Clearly, Fourth Uncle is such a person. He becomes incredibly determined; unless absolutely necessary, that secret will never escape his lips. Clearly, Fourth Uncle is such a person.

Uncle Si stood up, then lit a cigarette and took a deep drag, consuming half of it in one go. He remained motionless, staring outside as if he were petrified. After a long while, he finally turned his head and said: "Xiao Yuan, I have not hidden anything from you"

Uncle Si put away his smile and said seriously: "Your smile is truly unappealing, worse than crying."

Uncle Si only saw in the diary that my grandmother's surname was He, and that she met my grandfather on a day of heavy rain. At that time, my grandfather seemed to be fleeing for his life, in any case, he was in a very sorry state, and it was my grandmother who saved him

However, Uncle Si still insisted, saying: "Xiao Yuan, if you personally speak to Old Ming, he will make an exception"

I said: "Old Ming asked us to find Wei Daliang City"

Indeed, if we were to speak candidly, Fourth Uncle could still be considered one of the key figures under Ming Lao. Therefore, one can imagine the extent of Ming Lao's influence in Luoyang. Ming Lao is also known by the nickname "Water Tap," as he controls the lifeblood of the entire gambling scene in Luoyang

I said: "Kaifeng City, with layers upon layers, and several levels underground," and he responded with this.